Handyman Costs

Most homeowners spend between $380 and $1,096 nationally. Get free estimates from local handyman contractors.

If you are considering repair, replacement or renovation in your home, the costs of a handyman must be carefully considered and accounted for in your individual budget. In addition to job-to-job variables that can drastically effect costs, there are also many other things everyone should know before hiring a handyman of any kind – things such as materials, time spent, reputation as well as the complexity of the job are just a few.

One of the major things that absolutely must be considered before calling a handyman is the complexity of the job. If you are in your own home, the most inexpensive option will generally be to make it a do-it-yourself project. On the other hand, the most inexpensive option is not always the best. If you are even slightly questioning your own ability to do the job yourself effectively and, more importantly, efficiently, then calling a handyman or contractor is an intelligent move – you do not want to risk the safety of yourself and your family or potentially make your problem much worse by attempting something you have never done before with positive results.

With that said, it is also important to choose your handyman carefully. Before any papers are signed, first find out the extent of your handyman's experience doing the type of job you are hiring them for. There are many things within a home that a typical "handyman" or contractor are not even legally allowed to work on. For example, most electrical work absolutely must be done by a licensed electrician. Even if your handyman convinces you that they know how to do the job adequately, be sure to check that they are licensed to do the work they are claiming.

Many handymen or contractors will work by the hour for smaller jobs and give an overall quote for larger jobs. The general rule for most handymen is whether the time spent on a job is measured in hours or days. For a job that will take a few hours – such as replacing a pre-fitted bathroom vanity – you can expect to pay anywhere from $40-75 an hour. This can also depend on materials used – if you choose to use ABS piping rather than PVC for your plumbing, the cost of the materials and job will decrease.

For jobs lasting multiple days, such as home additions, you should insist on a quote and a contract for the entire job rather than paying an hourly wage. Most people work like this anyway, but hourly rates can drive prices sky-high. If you hire a handyman during a renovation to insulate and sheetrock and paint a brand new room, their quote should include the cost of materials such as the insulation itself (which varies greatly by location of the room), the sheetrock, spackel, paint, brushes, etc. For a two- or three-day job, expect a bill of $300-600 minimally. Certain jobs require more time than this and are priced as such. After the third or fourth day, expect your bill to be near $1,000. Again, this depends on the type of job, the materials as well as the handyman.